About the performer

Fred Martin & The Levite Camp

FRED MARTIN the Compton native, one of nine siblings, grew up in the ’70s; keenly aware of the escalating violence and drugs in his community, he sought another path. He learned music on his own, devouring books on composition and theory and becoming a church organist.

After graduating from high school, Martin taught at Lynwood High; he was later hired by the Los Angeles Unified School District for his musical expertise. He went on to teach music at Hamilton High and other South Los Angeles schools, always believing that music – and gospel in particular – could be a key to rescuing city kids from the perils that encircled them.

In 2002 Martin founded the Urban Entertainment Institute a nonprofit designed to teach students music, dance and multiple aspects of the music business.

Martin selected his most gifted protégés to form The Levite Camp. Together Fred Martin and the Levite Camp released their debut album on Concord Music Group, “Some Bridges” Fred co-produced this project with Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Jackson Browne. The Levite Camp also performed on Ray Charles’, Genius Loves Company with Gladys Knight, George Benson and Al Jarreau, Giving It up and Bring It On Home To Me, with Paul Mc Cartney. The Levite Camp was the voice of PacifiCare national commercial for four years, sung on the soundtrack of Steven Segals motion picture Under Siege 2, appeared in the movie Man of the House with Tommy Lee Jones, Cedric The Entertainer and Cristina Millian and Fakin Da Funk with Pam Grier.

Fred Martin and the Levite Camp is at its best when performing live! They have appeared on the Jay Leno with Sawyer Brown. Dr. Phil, Ellen with Natasha Bedingfield, Sharon Osbourne, Dancing With The Stars, Madd TV, MusiCares with Sting, Zac Brown, Mavis Staples and Jamie Cullum, Tribute to Ray Charles at the Hollywood Bowl with Martina McBride, BabyFace, Pattie Austin and BeBe Winans.

Called upon by the Whos-Who of the industry, the list includes Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Still and Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Faith Evans, Carlos Santana, The Neville Brothers, Bill Weir and frequent performances with Beck.